SEYMOUR — It’s official. First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis formally announced this week that she’ll be running for the town’s top seat in November.
Drugonis, 51, replaced First Selectman Kurt Miller last October, after Miller stepped down to accept a full-time job in neighboring Ansonia as that city’s chief financial officer. Drugonis, a Republican, was appointed after a unanimous vote of the Board of Selectmen.
Drugonis, mom to Alana, 16 and married to husband, Chris, broke the news that she’s running during a live interview with the Valley Indy on Tuesday (May 4) during the annual Great Give fundraising drive.
“I love this town,” Drugonis said. “I love helping the residents. Over the past six months, I feel that I have worked very well with all our departments, our boards and our commissioners. I can bring a sense of teamwork and unity throughout the town, which is why I think I’m the best person for the job.”
Since late October, Drugonis said sitting in the town’s seat, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, has been a 24/7 job.
“I have answered every email, every text message from residents and attended 95 percent of every Zoom meeting held,” she said. “I want to be an active part of the community, and I want to hear what the residents’ concerns are, so we can move the town forward.”
During her short reign, Drugonis got her first budget passed, helped spruce up the town skate park (recently riddled with graffiti), hired a new administrative assistant and is pushing to hire a part-time economic development director at $45,000 a year.
She’s working to get a mural painted under the Route 8 piers on Bank Street, depicting the town’s rich history, and is working with the state Dept. of Transportation to get the fish bypass channel fixed by the end of this year. She’s also working to improve communications with residents and has a strong presence on the town’s Facebook page.
Several residents complained via social media that they had no clue there was a budget vote this week, and blamed the town for not advertising it more.
“I’ll work to improve communication with residents, especially during budget season, and will put processes in place, no matter who is seating in this seat,” Drugonis said.
Looking ahead to how she plans to move Seymour forward, Drugonis said she’s excited to hire an economic development director to market and promote the town.
“I’m working to bring back the Neighborhood Watch program, continue with our road improvements and find ways to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Drugonis, who is an executive vice-president of an environmental and safety consulting company.
“I want to hear from residents, I want their feedback and want to be able to give them more options for things to do. My door is always open,” she said.
A member of the Board of Selectmen since 2007 and Deputy First Selectwoman for the past two years, Drugonis is excited to be seeking her first full term.
“I love giving back to my community and want to continue to help it grow and move further down the road,” Drugonis said. “We have a great foundation, and I want to help build the town economically and make it friendly for both residents and businesses.”
Former state GOP Minority Leader Themis Klarides, and family friend, said Drugonis is the right person to continue to lead Seymour.
“She’s done a great job all these years on the Board of Selectmen, as Deputy First Selectwoman and now as acting First Selectwoman,” Klarides said. “She’ll do the same thing the next two years. She loves this town and truly believes in it.”
Stephan Behuniak, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, is looking forward to election season.
“It is no surprise that First Selectwoman Drugonis is running for re-election,” Behuniak said, reached by email. “My fellow Democrats and I are looking forward to the election this year and though it is early in the process, we have some exciting candidates already lined up for the many offices up for election this year. More news will come once the process plays out a little longer.”
Seymour Democrats haven’t won the First Selectmen’s seat since 2009, when Paul Roy defeated incumbent First Selectman Robert Koskelowski.
The Valley Indy Great Give interview with Drugonis and Themis Klarides is embedded below:
